Gansler names Del. Ivey as running mate

Brown campaign quickly fires back

Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler, a Democratic hopeful for Maryland governor, has named Del. Jolene Ivey as his running mate for 2014.

A two-term delegate and former journalist, Ivey (D) of Cheverly represents District 47 in Prince George’s County, the home county of one of Gansler’s opponents in the gubernatorial race, Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown (D).

While voters generally vote the top of the ticket, who a gubernatorial candidate names as a running mate can indicate what that candidate is thinking, said John Willis, professor of government and public policy at University of Baltimore.

Adding Ivey to his ticket shows Gansler is not afraid to fight for votes in Prince George’s County, Willis said.

As a general rule, a candidate needs to carry three of the four big Democratic voting jurisdictions — Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, Baltimore County and Baltimore City — to win, he said.

With most Democratic voters concentrated in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, approximately 37 percent, Willis said it make sense for Gansler — who calls Montgomery home — to pick a running mate from Prince George’s.

It doesn’t mean Baltimore, with 15 percent of Democratic voters, is irrelevant.

But perhaps what matters more than geography is the compatibility between Ivey and Gansler, Willis said.

Within hours of the announcement Monday, Brown’s campaign issued a his-and-hers list of where Gansler and Ivey stand, and differ, on policies.

Maryland history tells a cautionary tale against picking a running mate with divergent views, Willis said, citing the first term of former Gov. Harry R. Hughes (D).

He said Hughes chose former Prince George’s County Councilman Samuel W. Bogley (D) as lieutenant governor but later came to disagree with Bogley enough to pick a new lieutenant governor, former state Sen. J. Joseph Curran Jr. for his second term. Curran (D) went on to serve as attorney general until Gansler was elected and took over in 2007.

During his campaign tour in September, Gansler promised to bring more diversity to Annapolis and Willis said naming an African-American female as a running mate is a positive move.

Ivey has been a voice for women, families and other Marylanders in need of an advocate, according to a news release from Gansler’s campaign.

Her legislative record includes efforts to pass legislation that protects families, children, and small businesses, the release said.

Brown’s running mate is Howard County Executive Ken Ulman. Del. Heather Mizeur (D-Dist. 20) of Takoma Park has not named a running mate.

Republican candidate and current Harford County Executive, David R. Craig, chose with Del. Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio (R-Dist. 37B) of Newcomb as his running mate.

Craig’s challengers for the Republican nomination, Del. Ronald A. George (R-Dist. 30) of Arnold and Charles Lollar, have yet to name running mates.